Poirier favoured in Gaethje rematch

UFC 291 features a rematch between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje on Saturday's main card at the Delta Centre in Salt Lake City.

The previous fight came five years ago, with Poirier scoring the win with a fourth-round stoppage. The rematch carries a potential title-shot for the winner, with Poirier (29-7-0) entering as the No 2-ranked lightweight and Gaethje (24-4-0) ranked No 3.

Poirier, who made a name for himself by twice knocking out Conor McGregor in 2021, is coming off a win over former Bellator star Michael Chandler at UFC 281.

Gaethje, meanwhile, has recorded 19 knockouts among his 24 wins as a pro, and scored a majority decision over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286.

Interestingly, Poirier and Gaethje are both 34 years old and both have lost two previous title shots to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.

The winner of Saturday's fight is highly likely to earn a third crack at the title.

Poirier is considered the more technical striker of the two, while Gaethje is a fan favourite known for his punishing style.

Poirier is currently the -150 favourite at BetMGM, where he has been backed by 65 per cent of the money wagered on the fight since opening at -125. Gaethje (+125) has the edge in total bets with 55 per cent backing him to win.

In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Alex Pereira (7-2-0) moves up a weight class to make his light heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz (29-9-1).

Blachowicz, 40, is a former division champion, and opened as the -160 favourite by the book. However, Pereira has drawn 63 per cent of the bets and 68 per cent of the money as the odds have drawn even at -110 for both fighters.

The winner of this fight will be in position to challenge for the belt that is currently open after it was vacated by Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill due to injury.

Other fights on the main card include:

Tony Ferguson (25-8-0) v Bobby Green (29-14-1)

Following a 12-match win streak, the 39-year-old Ferguson has dropped his past five fights. "El Cucuy" claims he is back "wholeheartedly" after having not "really been in it."

The former interim 155-pound champion hasn't won since 2019. Ferguson's five-fight losing streak has come at the hands of Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, Chandler and a brutally bad performance against Nate Diaz.

Green, 36, is on a two-fight losing streak of his own, losing to Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober. The "King" also had a non-contest against Jared Gordon since his most recent victory over Nasrat Haqparast.

Which Ferguson we see will tell the story. He has drawn 73 per cent of the total bets at +280, while Green has been backed by 89 per cent of the money wagered while moving from -345 to -375.

Stephen Thompson (17-6-1) v Michel Pereira (28-11-0)

Thompson is now 40 years old, but he's still the clear favourite. He opened at -225, although those odds have shifted to -150 with Pereira (+125) backed by 61 per cent of the fight bets and 79 per cent of the money.

Pereira does bring a five-fight winning streak into the octagon on Saturday, and the big welterweight is known for his style that can border on reckless. Thompson is the more polished of the two fighters, and the "Wonderboy" will likely try to fight at a high pace as he attempts to keep a potential title shot alive.

Michael Chiesa (18-6-0) v Kevin Holland (24-9-0)

Saturday's pay-per-view event begins with the 35-year-old Chiesa tacking on the 24-year-old Holland in a battle of welterweight veterans.

Chiesa has dropped his past two fights, and the grappling star who has scored 11 submission wins is the +125 underdog.

This is a fight Holland asked for, and presents an opportunity to prove he has improved his wrestling skills. The key for him will be avoiding being taken to the canvas by Chiesa, and Holland should have the edge while on his feet.

Holland enters this fight unranked but has drawn 53 and 59 per cent of the action, respectively, as his odds have shifted from -175 to -150.